Vitamins And Nutritional Supplements: Avoiding Fad Diet Shams

In this day and age you simply cannot pick up a magazine or turn on a television set without seeing an advertisement for some sort of new diet program or plan. With all of the claims being made in regard to the various diet regimens it can be very difficult to determine what diet plans will work and what diet plans will not be effective. Included within many diet plans are the usage of different types of vitamin and nutritional supplement products.

There are a number of factors that you need to keep in mind when weighing and balancing a diet program that you are considering implementing. In this regard, you will want to take a look at how a diet program incorporates the usage of vitamins and nutritional supplements and at what sorts of claims a particular diet plan makes to its adherents.

Unfortunately, there are many marketing campaigns underway in this day and age that promote vitamins and nutritional supplements in such a way that these products seem like “wonder drugs.” There are many operators who are hawking vitamin and nutritional supplement products with claims that they will work wonders, that they will permit you to undergo a rapid weight loss.

There are, indeed, some products which can assist a person in losing weight rather fast. However, fast weight loss is not always healthy weight loss. In fact, study after study confirms that many people who have experienced a rapid weight loss -- many times using a vitamin or nutritional supplement product -- have ended up regaining the lost weight (or even more) in the end.

They key to incorporating nutritional supplements as well as vitamins into an overall program is to ensure that these products work towards both health and sustained weight loss. In other words, it is vital to avoid fad diets.

Fad diets are not only ineffective in the long run -- these diet plans and regimens can cause serious health problems to an adherent. Once again, it is vital that you avoid those diet plans that make outlandish claims. In the end, weight loss and proper weight maintenance requires healthy dieting, the proper use of nutritional supplements as well as vitamins and regular, appropriate exercise. By combining these three elements of health living, you will be well on your way towards reaching your weight loss goals -- and towards keeping the weight off on into the future.

Vitamins And Nutritional Supplements: Going Natural Or Staying Synthetic

In recent years a growing number of men and women have taken to using natural vitamins and nutritional supplements as opposed to the more traditional, synthetic versions of these products. There are a number of differences between natural and synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements that should be considered when you are trying determine what type of product will best meet your own particular needs and dieting goals.

Many experts have concluded that natural vitamins and nutritional supplements “work better” in a person’s body. These products absorb into a person’s system easier, according to these researchers. As a result, there are a significant number of nutritional experts who recommend natural vitamins and nutritional supplements because they appear to be more effective in their interaction within a person’s body.

Of course, one of the overall benefits of synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements is cost. As a general rule, synthetic products do cost less than their natural counterparts. In point of fact, oftentimes synthetic products costs a great deal less than similar natural products. Therefore, a consumer on a budget very well may want to use a synthetic product to save a little money.

In regard to the costs of products, some people would argue that because natural products may be more effective -- because natural vitamins and nutritional supplements may work more efficiently in a person’s body -- the extra expenses associated with these products may pay off over the long run. In other words, because you get “more bang for your buck” with a natural product, the actual costs associated with these products up front may pay off over time as a consumer utilizes these products.

There is some limited evidence that some of the materials contained in synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements may not be beneficial to a human being over time -- indeed, there is some indication that some of these materials might be harmful over time. The research in this regard is not, as of yet, conclusive. However, there has been a movement in recent years to revamp the chemical makeup of certain synthetic products -- including vitamins and nutritional supplements -- in order to work to ensure that they are in fact healthier for people both in the short and in the long term.

A nutritionist or doctor can provide you with additional information on the pros and cons of natural versus synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements.

Vitamins – To Supplement or Not To Supplement?

Over half of Americans today take a multivitamin of some kind, believing that it will help them to stave off chronic disease and health deficiencies – but health experts are in disagreement over the necessity of these supplements. Some doctors and nutritionists feel that a multivitamin a day is absolutely critical to a healthy body, while others point out that with a proper diet and exercise vitamin supplementation may be simply redundant.

Some people even take multivitamins or other supplements as a way of replacing the need for a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, or before engaging in damaging behavior such as binge drinking or recreational drug use.

Health experts are largely in disagreement on the subject of vitamin supplements, but on this area they agree – a multivitamin does not obviate the human requirement for a healthy diet. In contrast, many health experts believe that a healthy diet renders vitamin supplements unnecessary, but none suggest that vitamins alone reduce the need for healthy eating.

Some individuals claim that a proper vitamin supplementation regimen can resolve problems ranging from digestive issues to irregular heartbeats, but there are still insufficient clinical studies to conclusively indicate whether a multivitamin is beneficial to most healthy adults.

Ironically, those who use multivitamins the most are generally healthier, more active, and more conscious about their diets than those who choose not to use vitamin supplementation at all. As such, those who would likely see the greatest benefit generally avoid using a vitamin supplement at all.

The major issue that most health professionals have with readily available mass produced multivitamin supplements is their “one size fits all” approach – without individualized testing and custom design for a vitamin supplement program to suit the individual, even when taking a multivitamin there may be a serious surplus of one element despite a significant deficiency of another.

Since people of different age groups, body types, and activity levels all require different types of supplements, it is advisable to get full testing done in order to determine what vitamins really are necessary rather than simply purchasing an over the counter multivitamin tablet.

Vitamins And Minerals Are Health Magnets For Our Body's Circulatory System

Our body’s circulatory system is made up of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries. This circulatory system transports oxygen, nutrients, water and blood throughout our bodies as well as assists in the removal of waste products. Obviously keeping this system in tip top shape is essential to its efficiency and to our health.

One of the things we can do to help keep our circulatory system healthy is to make sure that we are properly nourishing it with healthy diet filled with vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin C is responsible for strengthening the walls of the blood vessels throughout the body. This has to do with its role in the production of collagen, which is an essential connective tissue. Copper is a mineral that is necessary for the process of making the body’s connective tissue. Biotin is critical to the health of the circulatory system, as well as to the circulatory system’s performance, as it has a function in a number of essential enzyme processes.

Vitamin E helps to promote the healthy functioning of the circulatory system in a couple of ways. It helps to dilate the veins and it has a role in the controlling of blood clotting. Another important aspect of Vitamin E is its antioxidant properties, something that it shares with Vitamin C. These vitamins, with the help of other antioxidants, serve in the essential capacity of bringing free radicals, which if left unchecked can damage body tissue, under control.

Potassium, long known as being beneficial to the heart also serves other parts of the circulatory system. One important function of potassium is to control blood pressure and fluid stability in the circulatory system. Sodium shares in these important functions of maintaining the blood’s balance and pressure. We hear so much about the negatives of sodium that it’s easy to forget that sodium is, in reality, a mineral that is essential to the body’s functioning, particularly in the circulatory system. The key to sodium is moderation, a little is necessary but too much could be dangerous.

It’s apparent that the circulatory system is essential to a healthy body. It makes sense to support its functions with a diet that meets the recommended daily levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Because the proper balance of nutrients is so vital to the functioning of our bodies and its supporting systems, choose your nutritional supplements carefully. Choosing top quality ingredients will insure that you are doing your body good and not spending money unwisely. Make your circulatory system happy, feed it!

Vitamins And Nutritional Supplements: When Too Much … Is Too Much

There are a significant number of people who utilize vitamins and nutritional supplements in this day and age. In point of fact, there is a notable percentage of these vitamin and nutritional supplement users who utilize more of these products than is recommended. These people espouse the belief that “if one is good, a lot is terrific.” In other words, these people utilize well in excess the recommended daily allowance of a particular vitamin or nutritional supplement product.

In reality, the overuse of certain types of vitamin and nutritional supplements can have serious, negative consequences. A number of these consequences are outlined in this article to assist you in making better decisions in regard to the proper use of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

There are some vitamins and supplements that do not necessarily have harmful effects when used beyond recommend allowances. However, by taking more of these vitamins and supplements, you are not obtaining any additional benefit beyond that which you would enjoy by taking only the daily recommended allowance. In other words, “overdosing” will not cause you physical harm; however, “overdosing” simply will have no helpful or beneficial effects in your overall program for healthy living.

On the other hand, there are certain types of vitamins, minerals and supplements that can be harmful if taken beyond the recommended daily allowance. For example, if you are a man, you need to pay close attention to the amount of iron that you ingest. Too much iron in a man’s system can have serious medical consequences. (Many men who are health conscious avoid taking multi-vitamins that contain iron in their mixtures. Using multi-vitamins can make it more difficult to keep track of what you are taking and ingesting in the way of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis.)

Before you commence a diet regimen that includes vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements, you should take the time -- indeed, you really must take the time -- to consult with your doctor to determine what combination of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements will best serve your needs and best enhance your health. Your doctor can also assist you in selecting the best vitamin, mineral and supplement products or can recommend a nutritionist who can assist you in obtaining the most appropriate and healthy products for your needs and good health. By obtaining professional assistance, you will be able to create and craft the most appropriate overall eating, exercise and supplement program not only for today but for your own health future.

Vitamins And Supplements: Natural Food Stores In The Brick And Mortar World

While more and more traditional grocery markets are now featuring different types of vitamins and nutritional supplement products on their shelves, in the brick and mortar world natural food stores are perhaps the best resources for a wide selection of these types of products in this day and age. In many communities in different parts of the world, natural food stores are becoming more prominent features.

There are a number of definite benefits to making the purchase of vitamins and nutritional supplements at natural food stores located in the brick and mortar world. Perhaps the most significant benefit to be had from making purchases of these types of products at these stores is found in the fact that natural food stores maintain a wide selection of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

In addition to a wide selection of different types of products, these natural food stores in the brick and mortar world generally stock the newest types of products available to consumers interested in bettering their lives through the use of vitamins and related nutritional supplements.

In addition to inventory related issues -- which are important -- many natural food stores in the proverbial real world also maintain a staff of employees who are experienced in being able to help customers make the best possible decisions when it comes to vitamins and nutritional supplements. Through the expert information that these people can provide in many instances, a consumer is able to find and purchase the specific products that will best benefit a person.

Of course, there is a downside to shopping at natural food stores -- specifically, these markets tend to be more expensive than more traditional groceries in the brick and mortar world. Thus, some people tend to avoid natural food stores because of pricing issues. However, while it is true that products in these stores do tend to cost more than in a traditional market, as a rule the merchandise offered in a natural food store is of a higher quality than what can be found and purchased elsewhere. In addition, as mentioned previously, the staff members of natural food stores tend to be far more helpful in selecting the best possible products for your needs than the staffers you might find in other locales.

On balance, there truly are some significant benefits to be had by shopping at a natural food store for vitamins and nutritional supplements. If you have not stopped in to such a market, you would be well served by paying a visit.

Vitamins Are Supplements Acceptable

In a perfect world, children wouldn’t balk at eating a perfectly balanced diet and adults would have the time to create that menu for themselves and the children in their lives. Unfortunately, we live in the real world and perfection is more than a little distance away. So what about those vitamins we need? The alternative to a perfect diet is a regular regimen of vitamin supplements.

Before you grab up the latest, cutest, most expensive or cheapest vitamins you can find, take a minute to evaluate what it is that you expect to accomplish. Start by carefully evaluating your typical daily food intake.

Take a count of the foods you eat over a period of a few days. You may find that you’re getting sufficient amounts of most vitamins simply through your diet. Even a less-than-healthy diet overall may be offset by certain habits – drinking significant quantities of Vitamin D fortified milk, for example. If you typically drink at least two cups of milk each day, you’re probably getting the Vitamin D recommended for a normal, healthy adult.

But what if you realize that you really aren’t getting the vitamins you need? Then it’s time to add a vitamin supplement, but you should be smart about it. For most children and adults who aren’t getting the recommended daily allowances of vitamins, a very general vitamin is probably your best bet. There are plenty of options out there and it really becomes a matter of personal choice. If the kids like some particular brand better than others, that brand is probably fine. Just be sure that it’s providing recommended daily allowances of the top vitamins needed by children.

The same is true of adults, though it tends to be the claims of the manufacturer that grabs the attention rather than the fact that the vitamins are in the shape of a cartoon character. Be wary of any vitamin brand when the manufacturer makes incredible claims. There’s no doubt that having sufficient vitamin intake on a daily basis will make you feel better, but there’s also no doubt that vitamins aren’t going to turn back the clock, give you the vitality of a toddler and make all your aches and pains go away. Be smart about it. Read the back of the bottle to find out what vitamins are actually packed into that little pill. You may be surprised to find the ingredients of the cheapest store brand and those incredibly expensive vitamins are exactly the same.

Vitamins And Smoking Cessation

If you have recently quit smoking, or if you are getting ready to embark on a smoking cessation program – congratulations! You have taken the first steps to improved health and a longer, happier life.

Years of smoking can take quite a toll on your physiology and appearance. Among other things, excessive smoking causes the production of harmful free radicals in the body.

But it is possible to reverse some of this damage, and vitamins play a big part in the healing process. Antioxidants found in many vitamin compounds can eliminate free radical activity and restore your body to a healthy state.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that everyone needs to stay healthy, but smokers have a special need for this compound. Smoking depletes the body of ascorbic acid, so a smoker will need up to three times more Vitamin C than the average non-smoker.

Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron, which means more oxygen in your blood stream. This vitamin even counteracts atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, caused by smoke inhalation.

Smoking can cause bone loss associated with aging to happen at an accelerated rate. It’s common knowledge that calcium works to prevent bone loss, but did you know Vitamin C improves your ability to absorb and use calcium?

Good sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruit, broccoli, strawberries and cabbage.

Folic acid is another important vitamin compound, especially for smokers. This is a B-complex vitamin, and is crucial for lung health. Studies have shown that increasing folic acid intake can reduce symptoms of bronchitis and other lung-related maladies.

Get your folic acid via orange juice or fortified cereal.

Smoking also depletes the body's Vitamin E supply. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that offers protection from dangerous free radicals and can help the body rebuild.

In fact, research even indicates that Vitamin E can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Sources of natural Vitamin E include oils, nuts, seeds, liver, and clams.

In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, many doctors and rehabilitation specialists recommend that smokers and ex-smokers take a good multivitamin supplement to help the body recover from the devastating effects of smoking.

Vitamins and Interactions

Vitamins are good for you, so it stands to reason that getting all the vitamins you can everyday is the best course of action. As a general rule, it’s true that choosing foods rich in vitamins is a good idea. But there are times when more isn’t better, even when it comes to vitamins.

The first thing to keep in mind is that several vitamins have toxic levels. In other words, there is a point at which consuming more vitamins is not only unhelpful, it can be dangerous.

Vitamin K helps the body clot blood. If you get a cut, your blood’s natural tendency to clot will keep you from bleeding to death. But there are some people who have blood that clots too readily, or who have health issues that require thinner blood. Some people with specific types of heart problems may actually be on medication designed to thin the blood. Doctors may also prescribe a blood thinner for a patient getting ready for some types of surgeries. If thinning the blood is your doctor’s goal, taking a Vitamin K supplement or eating foods that are particularly rich in Vitamin K may be dangerous.

If you’re taking an aspirin each day, your body may be experiencing a Vitamin C deficiency. Studies have indicated that Vitamin C is typically absorbed by blood cells, but aspirin in the system may block this normal absorption action.

If you need more iron in your body, you may want to consider increasing the amount of Vitamin C in your daily food intake. It seems that having enough Vitamin C in your system makes your body more readily absorb iron, tackling that anemia problem more quickly than taking iron alone.

If you’re taking antibiotics, particularly over a long period of time, your body may have trouble absorbing sufficient amounts of Vitamin A. If you’re taking drugs to lower your cholesterol, you may also experience Vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin E and Zinc work hand-in-hand. If your body has lower-than-normal levels of Zinc, you may also have a Vitamin E deficiency, even if you’re eating healthy. Vitamins C and E also work together.

There are a number of other interactions that can occur between vitamins, or between vitamins and other conditions, minerals and drugs. Remember that it is possible to overdose on some vitamins, and some can cause serious problems with medication, diet and existing health problems. It’s best to talk to a health care professional before you start or alter your daily diet or vitamin intake.

Vitamins, Nutritional Supplements And Work Out Routines:developing Regimen For Healthy Living

Over the course of the past couple of years, the news media has been awash with reports of the increasing number of people around the world who are obese and who are not eating proper diets. In addition, innumerable news stories recount the fact that many people get little or no appropriate exercise on a regular basis whatsoever. Perhaps you are a person who has not undertaken any sort of exercise routine in recent times. However, perhaps you have made the decision to start leading a more healthy life and to that end you are inclined to develop and commence a work out routine.

If you are interested in rounding out a workable and beneficial workout routine, you might want to consider utilizing vitamins and nutritional supplements as a part of that program. On many levels, developing a beneficial program for healthy living is like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.

In addition to including the piece of selecting the right foods to eat, you will also want to develop a solid work out routine. One method through which you can smartly link up the diet and the exercise portion of your healthy living plan is through the use of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

When it comes to vitamins and nutritional supplements, these products can have a two prong effect on assisting you in your trek towards a healthy life. First of all, these products directly benefit a person when they properly are utilized. Secondly, these products can enhance your work out performance and efforts.

For example, if you elect to utilize a nutritional supplement that provides energy or fuel (one that is appropriately balanced between carbs and protein) you will be able to have the energy necessary to undertake a hearty work out. In addition, through the use of certain vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements, you can enhance your muscle mass and your cardio-vascular health.

Of course, before you begin any diet or exercise program, it is necessary for you to consult with your doctor. You must keep in mind that dieting, exercise and the use of vitamins and supplements is serious business -- it is not something you need to take lightly. You must seek appropriate professional guidance before you embark on any program that involves dieting, exercise, as well as vitamins and nutritional supplements.

Vitamins Supplements - Multi Vitamin Pills

Our bodies are living organisms that need a constant supply of essential nutrients in order to generate new cells, ward off disease, and remain healthy. When we take a multivitamin supplement it makes up for the nutrients we don't get from the food we eat.

Do I need take a supplement?

Theoretically, a balanced diet will provide with essential nutrients. In reality it is hard to achieve.
These are days of multitasking. Unfortunately, it spares us little time to grab a nutritious bite and exercise. Stress takes its toll. Contrary to our belief we are not eating right , leave apart the exercise. Years of depletion have robbed our soil and consequently its produce of essential nutrients. Hence, we have to look for supplements to fill in those gaps.
Our bodies are living organism that need a constant supply of essential nutrients in order to generate new cells, ward off disease, and remain healthy. When we take a multivitamin supplement it makes up for the nutrients we don't get from the foods we eat. If we are missing these nutrients we can build up deficiencies that can lead to all sorts of health problems- for example cardiovascular disease, problems with the immune system problem, even cancer.

Who needs supplement?

Recent research says that all adults and children can benefit from a multi-vitamin supplement.
Supplements help maintain health and vitality as age advances. Lactating mothers, adolescents and pregnant ladies need extra nutrition.
Our nutrition reserve often lacks in calcium, magnesium iron, zinc, copper and manganese. Iron deficiency is common in girls and ladies.
Smokers are low on Vitamin C.
Strict vegetarians and elderly people need to replenish B12 vitamin as it wards off anemia. Ladies on oral contraceptive pills and alcoholics are short on B and C vitamins.
Ladies should take a folic acid supplement before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects.
People with kidney disorders have less of vitamin D in their system.
Multivitamin supplements contain several vitamins or minerals instead of only one vitamin or minerals. Some vitamin or minerals yield more benefits when they are taken together with some other vitamin or minerals.

For example

* Vitamins C and E are more effective when taken together.

* Taking selenium increase the heart-healthy effects of vitamin E.

* Vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid are most beneficial when taken together.

* Calcium and magnesium work better when taken together.

Supplements are extra to your nutrition and should remain that way.

Vitamins Nutrition Supplements - Are They Really Needed?

Are vitamins nutrition supplements really needed? Vitamins nutrition supplements should be considered nutritional substances that provide health benefits. Ideally, these benefits will have been proven by clinical studies.

What we consume each day is important, and eating a balanced diet makes sense. Assuming that happens on a regular basis, one problem today is that nutrient values of foods have been declining for decades due to soil depletion. And as for what we eat, for example, the USDA food pyramid recommends consuming 2-1/2 cups of vegetables a day for women and 3 cups a day for men. In reality, most adults just do not consume these minimum amounts, and thus the need for high-quality vitamins nutrition supplements for optimum health.

Quality nutrition supplements are much more than just vitamins and minerals. The bodies of both women and men need and will use a wide array of anti-aging natural supplements such as amino acids, antioxidants, bioflavanoids, neuronutrients and specialized substances such as L-Carnosine, alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-Carnitine. Vitamins nutrition supplements products that support the health of the heart, eyes, brain, immune system, joints and so on are being proven by studies on an ongoing basis.

Today, we live longer, and we want those extra years to be active ones full of energy and health. The basis for good health is a lifestyle that includes a sensible diet with vitamins nutrition supplements, sufficient quality sleep, moderate exercise and weight management.

High-quality, anti-aging nutrition supplements help fill in the gaps everyone will have in their diet. The essential nutrients that the body needs are extensive and complex. Vitamins and minerals are just the beginning. Other nutrients that provide significant anti-aging benefits are the key to improved energy, better health and freedom from disease.

The best vitamins nutrition supplements cannot be the one-a-day type and the reason is simple. One tablet cannot hold all that's needed in necessary quantities as it would be way too large to swallow. One-a-day vitamins are probably a waste of money as studies have shown. When trying to design your own supplement plan, however, it's easy to end up with a dozen or more individual substances to take daily, which is both a hassle and costly.

And women really need a different vitamin formula than men. Women's vitamins nutrition supplements should contain nutrients proven to support the balancing of female hormones for women in their 30's and beyond. Men's vitamin supplements should contain ingredients that support male prostate health.

Fortunately, there are manufacturers that provide quality vitamins nutrition supplements at reasonable prices. One manufacturer even has the individual ingredients linked to the relevant clinical studies. Before spending your money, be as informed as you can about the nutrient products you'll be taking every day.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Vitamins Vitamins Vitamins!!!

Can you imagine that calcium supplements can do a lot for our health? Well some people choose not to believe this fact, but it can be beneficial to you. The calcium supplements don’t only help in giving strong teeth and bones. Ever heard of coral calcium? Me neither, but apparently it can help quite a bit in preventing many diseases like osteoporosis. Of course be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage as to much of something can be very harmful. That is the main thing when taking supplements, be sure to take the recommended dosage I can’t say that enough.

You have many different choices when you take the calcium supplement. Before there we did not have the luxury of all of these choices. The supplements come in sachets, as powder, as liquid aside from your traditional capsules and pills. That fact can cater to those who have their particular preferences, so there’s no excuse here! There is something for everyone.

Though, you will get more of the benefits if you consume the supplement in liquid form. Of course like any other supplement. So think about that before you decide what form of the supplement to get. Still powders, sachets of tea and capsules are more convenient in our daily life’s to take. You will still get some of the benefits of the coral calcium supplement either way. But if you have the time and want to take the liquid form go ahead; it would be even better for you.

It’s great that scientist and manufactures have come up with better ways for us to stay healthy and making sure we get the right nutrients that we need. So take advantage of this, it can improve you health and prevent diseases at the same time. What’s so bad about that?

Vitamins for Health Vitamin C

Most people associate Vitamin C with the ability to fight off colds and infections. There’s a medical basis for that association because Vitamin C is known to be necessary for a normal, healthy immune system.

While Vitamin C intake is fairly simple to accomplish today with either foods rich in this vitamin or Vitamin C supplements, that hasn’t always been the case. Scurvy was once a real health concern, associated with low levels of Vitamin C in the body. The problem was rampant in areas of the world where fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C content were rare, or where people couldn’t afford to have those vegetables as part of their daily menu.

Oranges and other citrus fruits are among the more common food sources of Vitamin C. The papaya is probably the fruit with the single highest natural Vitamin C content. A medium papaya provides more than the daily recommended allowance for Vitamin C for any normal, healthy person.

Because most people associate Vitamin C with citrus fruits, you may not realize that there are some other non-citrus sources of Vitamin C. If you simply don’t like oranges or grapefruit, you can still find fruits that are high in Vitamin C to add to your diet. Strawberries and cantaloupe are among those fruits. There are some other foods that are also good sources of Vitamin C, such as peppers.

Vitamin C has also been found to be a natural antioxidant, meaning that it helps the body fight off specific health problems and diseases and may even slow some of the signs of aging. Some people think that Vitamin C will keep you from getting a cold, but the vitamin’s natural aid to the immune system is the only real aid when it comes to colds. Instead of taking Vitamin C after you’re coming down with a cold, the best course is to be sure you have sufficient levels of Vitamin C all the time.

An important fact about Vitamin C is that the body doesn’t store this vitamin as is the case with some vitamins. That means that you need to give your body new sources of Vitamin C daily to be sure the body maintains a sufficient Vitamin C level.

Most professionals seem to agree that getting Vitamin C naturally is best. But if you’re not getting sufficient amounts of this important vitamin, vitamin supplements are a good idea. Manufacturers have met the demand for more options when it comes to vitamins, including Vitamin C. You’ll find tablets, drinks and chewables, all packed with enough Vitamin C to keep your body ready to fight off the infections that naturally come your way.

Vitamins For Health

The word 'vitamin' has its root in 'vitamine' that means vital amine. Vitamins are powerful organic compounds found mainly in the food that we eat. Vitamins are essential for all human beings because they help cells and tissues to perform basic functions. Basically, vitamins are required for the growth of the body.

There are two types of vitamins- the water soluble vitamins and the fat soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins are also called hormones. All the commonly known vitamins are water soluble vitamins, of which vitamin C or ascorbic acid is the most common. Earlier it was believed that all these vitamins belong to one group called B complex as they were all found in the same source. Later they were categorized as different vitamins.

Vitamin A, B1, B3, B5, B9, D, E, H, K, P, Choline and Inositol are some of the other vitamins. Few of these vitamins are known by their biological names, like vitamin B1 is known as thiamine and vitamin H, Biotin.

Vitamins form an essential component of the balanced diet that we eat. People with chronic illnesses are advised to take vitamin supplements by their doctors. Pregnant women and people suffering from bowel disorders need to watch out their vitamin intake. Bowel disorder retards the absorption of fat soluble vitamin. Folic acid is prescribed for a person suffering from thalassaemia. Patients with pernicious anemia have to be given injections of vitamin B12 because of its acute deficiency in their body.

We need small amounts of these vitamins on regular basis to help the body function smoothly and remain healthy. These vitamins help the organs to carry out their individual functions. In the absence of these vitamins, our body falls sick and suffers from vitamin deficiency diseases. There are enough vitamins present in our foods but if we don't eat a balanced diet the external supplements will do the needful.

Vitamins are useful and mandatory for the body, but excess of everything is bad. Even vitamins taken in excess can cause severe damage to the body. For instance, the body needs only 400 to 800 units of vitamin D in a day. If this amount is exceeded, too much calcium gets absorbed by the bloodstream, which can damage the kidneys. Moreover, supplements can never replace the healthy diets, so it's better to take vitamin-rich diet than take supplements.

Last word of caution: Do not take vitamins by gathering information from here and there. Consult your doctor. Remember, little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Vitamins: Fat Or Water Soluble?

Vitamins are organic substances essential in small amounts for the body's normal growth and activity. They are obtained naturally from plant and animal foods. Vitamins have two classifications, fat- or water-soluble, depending on the materials in which they dissolve.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins:
Fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E and K. These vitamins are stored in the body's fat tissues before they are absorbed in the blood stream. Because the body stores these vitamins, it is not always necessary to get a fresh supply each day. Caution should be used when taking fat-soluble vitamins to avoid the potential of harmful, toxic levels.

Fat-soluble vitamins are required for the maintenance of healthy bones, skin and hair and for bringing nourishment to the cells. Vitamin A is essential for vision, especially night vision. Vitamin K is essential for the formation of blood-clotting proteins.

The major dietary sources of these vitamins are green leafy vegetables, deep orange or yellow fruits and vegetables, cod liver oil, sardines, butter, egg yolks, fortified milk, almonds, wheat germ, peanut butter, corn oil, sunflower seeds, and liver.

Water-Soluble Vitamins:
Water-soluble vitamins include B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and vitamin C, as well as folic acid and biotin. Water-soluble vitamins, unlike fat-soluble vitamins, are not easily stored in the body and are often lost from foods in the cooking process. It is therefore important to include these vitamins in a daily dietary regimen.

B vitamins are involved in fat and protein breakdown. The B vitamins are required for healthy nervous system function, healthy skin, hair, eyes and liver function. Some of the B vitamins require other B vitamins to work correctly in the body.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is important to the body in the production of collagen, creating connective tissue and supporting our organs. Other functions include protecting the fat-soluble vitamins and preventing scurvy.

The major dietary sources of these vitamins are cereal grains, meat, poultry, eggs, fish, milk, legumes and fresh vegetables. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, guava, red bell pepper, papaya, orange juice, broccoli, green bell pepper, strawberries, cantaloupe, tomato juice, mango, potato,
cabbage, tomato, collard greens, spinach, Brussels sprouts, turnip greens, cauliflower, blackberries, and blueberries.

Vitamins, Supplements And The Importance Of Water In A Healthy Diet

If you are a person who is interested in developing an appropriate diet for health living, there are three items that you should include in your overall eating regimen:

-- vitamins
-- nutritional supplements
-- water

The foundation of a diet for healthy living needs to be appropriate food choices. You need to eat an appropriate balance of fresh fruits, vegetables and low-fat meat products. You need to avoid food items that contain trans-fats as well as refined, processed sugars.

Once you have established the appropriate menus for your overall plan for healthy living, you will want to consider how vitamin and other nutritional supplements can support your food selections and choices. It is vital to keep in mind that vitamins and nutritional supplements are not designed to replace healthy food choices. Rather, these products -- as the moniker “supplement” indicates -- are designed to supplement your basic, healthy food choices and selections.

Along with proper food choices and the addition of vitamins and nutritional supplements, drinking an appropriate amount is absolutely necessary to maintaining an appropriate weight and to pursuing a healthy diet, a diet for healthy living.

As a general rule of thumb, an adult who is not significantly overweight should consume eight 8-ounce glasses of water each and every day. (Soft drinks, coffee, milk and other beverages are not to be utilized as part of the total water intake amount. However, some herbal, decaffeinated teas can be used towards your overall water intake count on a given day.)

A person who is overweight will need to consume more water. Some experts suggest that (in addition to utilizing vitamins and nutritional supplements) a heavier person should take in not only the base eight glasses of water daily but should also drink an additional 8-ounce glass for every ten pounds he or she weights over and above his or her “ideal weight.” Of course, if a person is morbidly obese, there is a line of water consumption that cannot be crossed. You can only consume so much water -- however, you do need to bear in mind that the more you weigh, the more water that you will need to drink each and every day.

Finally, in addition to using vitamins and nutritional supplements to enhance any workout or exercise regimen that you include in your overall healthy living plan or scheme, you need to increase your intake of water when you do exercise.

Vitamins Are Supplements Acceptable?

In a perfect world, children wouldn’t balk at eating a perfectly balanced diet and adults would have the time to create that menu for themselves and the children in their lives. Unfortunately, we live in the real world and perfection is more than a little distance away. So what about those vitamins we need? The alternative to a perfect diet is a regular regimen of vitamin supplements.

Before you grab up the latest, cutest, most expensive or cheapest vitamins you can find, take a minute to evaluate what it is that you expect to accomplish. Start by carefully evaluating your typical daily food intake.

Take a count of the foods you eat over a period of a few days. You may find that you’re getting sufficient amounts of most vitamins simply through your diet. Even a less-than-healthy diet overall may be offset by certain habits – drinking significant quantities of Vitamin D fortified milk, for example. If you typically drink at least two cups of milk each day, you’re probably getting the Vitamin D recommended for a normal, healthy adult.

But what if you realize that you really aren’t getting the vitamins you need? Then it’s time to add a vitamin supplement, but you should be smart about it. For most children and adults who aren’t getting the recommended daily allowances of vitamins, a very general vitamin is probably your best bet. There are plenty of options out there and it really becomes a matter of personal choice. If the kids like some particular brand better than others, that brand is probably fine. Just be sure that it’s providing recommended daily allowances of the top vitamins needed by children.

The same is true of adults, though it tends to be the claims of the manufacturer that grabs the attention rather than the fact that the vitamins are in the shape of a cartoon character. Be wary of any vitamin brand when the manufacturer makes incredible claims. There’s no doubt that having sufficient vitamin intake on a daily basis will make you feel better, but there’s also no doubt that vitamins aren’t going to turn back the clock, give you the vitality of a toddler and make all your aches and pains go away. Be smart about it. Read the back of the bottle to find out what vitamins are actually packed into that little pill. You may be surprised to find the ingredients of the cheapest store brand and those incredibly expensive vitamins are exactly the same.

We All Need These Vitamins - Vitamin B12 And Folacin

During the last years the vital importance of vitamin B12 and folacin for our health has become more obvious. Perhaps you have heard that folacin is important during pregnancy. Deficiency can cause severe damages to the fetus. In the USA and other countries one has added synthetic folacin to prevent damages to the fetus.

Also B12 is of importance as both vitamins are interacting to have an effect. Both vitamins have great importance even in other cases. The risk of developing dementia are for example bigger if you suffer from a deficiency of one of these vitamins.

Vitamin B12 and folacin are important for every cell of the body. B12 and folacin interact in vital functions of all cells. For example they are necessary for the cells to divide and grow in a normal way. That is why they are of great importance for the growing foetus.

The first symptoms of deficiency can also come from the cells that divide too fast, for example blood cells and the cells of mucous membrane. The symptoms will result in a type of anemia often combined with a read tongue and shear mucous membranes in the mouth.

Both vitamins are also necessary for the nerve system to function well, for the nerve cells and for the signal substances that transmit the nerve impulses. If not treated this kind of deficiency can cause permanent damages of the nerves.

A deficiency may occur as a result of an inability to absorb B12 from food and in strict vegetarians who do not consume any animal foods. As a general rule, most individuals who develop a vitamin B12 deficiency have an underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B12. Sometimes the only symptom of these intestinal disorder is subtly reduced cognitive function resulting from early B12 deficiency. Anemia and dementia follow later.

Characteristic signs, symptoms and health problems associated with B12 deficiency include anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Deficiency can also lead to neurological changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Additional symptoms of B12 deficiency are difficulty in maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory and soreness of the mouth or tongue.

Many of these symptoms are very general and can result from a variety of medical conditions other than vitamin B12 deficiency. It is important to have a physician evaluate these symptoms so that appropriate medical care can be given.

What are the B Complex Vitamins?

There is much discussion about the B complex vitamin and how it is essential for the body to perform a multitude of functions. However, the B complex vitamin is not just one big complicated vitamin, as the name may imply.

There are actually eight B vitamins in the B complex vitamin as well as a few other related substances. The eight vitamins that make up the B complex vitamin are: thiamine or vitamin B1, riboflavin or vitamin B2, niacin or vitamin B3, pyridoxine or vitamin B6, cobalamine or vitamin B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid and biotin. Related substances also in the B complex vitamin include choline, inositol and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).

Each component of the B complex vitamin has its own individual role within the body, yet it is when they work jointly as the B complex vitamin that they provide fundamental maintenance for the body to stay healthy. As B vitamins are water soluble, it is essential that an adequate amount of these vitamins are consumed on a daily basis. The body cannot store water soluble vitamins; this leads to a regular intake being required.

The B complex is of assistance for a number of health conditions and additional quantities may be needed at certain times in a person’s life. Of course, there is a recommended daily allowance for the B complex vitamins that varies according to the sex and age of a person. Still, doctors and other health professionals have found benefits to increasing the intake of the B complex vitamin to help overcome certain illnesses.

Research has determined that the B complex vitamin can be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of anxiety and stress. If a person has been unwell and is fatigued, the B complex vitamin can be extremely valuable in aiding the recovery process. Fatigue can be a symptom of a multitude of illnesses as well as simply overdoing things but the B complex vitamin can help lessen general tiredness and lethargy in either case.

Interestingly, some skin conditions, such as dermatitis, may also benefit from addition B complex vitamin intake. In fact, a number of creams and other skin preparations contain added vitamin B complex that can be absorbed by the skin to alleviate the condition. Remember that since B vitamins are water soluble they are needed daily and you will understand how these creams and preparations could be beneficial.